September 9, 2010 in Faith,Life,Marriage with 7 Comments

It’s A Battle

One of the biggest mistakes I make as a Christian is that I underestimate the spiritual battle I’m a part of every day.

For years, I thought that people who talked about spiritual warfare were a little off their rocker. I knew it was in the Bible…but in my mind…it wasn’t relevant today. I didn’t want to make everything from a hangnail to a flat tire a spiritual attack…so I mostly dismissed it. If I’m honest, I still discount its presence at times in my life.

Here is what I’m reminded of today, that I want to share with you. If you are a Christ-follower that longs to make an impact with your life…you will face opposition.

What God has reminded me of this week is:

-Our spouse isn’t the enemy

-Our friends aren’t the enemy

-Our kids aren’t the enemy

-Our family (even your mother-in-law) isn’t the enemy

We have one Enemy that seeks to kill and destroy. He will attack the relationships that mean the most to you. He will distort truth. He will confuse motives. He will make it seem like those who you love the most are against you the most. He longs to destroy you.

You are in a battle. The Bible says that it rages in the heavenly realms, and I believe it rages in our hearts every day. It is a battle that took me out in 2005, so I know its power.

I’d like to offer you some suggestions on fighting this spiritual battle. I hope that these are an encouragement to you today:

1.     God’s power is made perfect in your weakness. Call on him to fight for you. Stop trying to pretend you can figure everything out and just surrender to Him.

2.     Acknowledge to those you are in relational conflict with that there are spiritual forces that are trying to destroy that relationship. Tell them that you realize that they are not the enemy, but that you have ONE enemy.

3.     If possible, pray with that person (your wife, sister, friend) and ask God to be present in your relationship, to give you discernment and strength.

4. Live in the promise that greater is he that is in YOU than he that is in the world.

Maybe today you feel battle worn…in your marriage, in a relationship, emotionally, spiritually. Your Heavenly Father longs to restore your weary heart and fight for you…in this very moment.

Are you fighting any battles that are really God’s to fight?

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  • http://www.anewlifehartz.blogspot.com Lindsey @ A New Life

    I think I’m in a spiritual battle with myself :-)

    Seriously, my weakness IS myself; my hesitation and not feeling ready enough or equipped enough or certain enough to jump into where He’s calling.

    I love the reminder that Satan will (and does) attack me where I’m weakest, and that is where I need to stop trying to stand firm on my own, but rather rest in God’s hands and let Him lead the charge.

    Have a beautiful day~ y’alls posts always make me think and give me hope along with the occasional smack upside the head!

  • http://www.jcwert.com Jason Wert

    To answer your question, yes. Too many.

    Great post.

  • http://whisper-wisdom.blogspot.com/ Andie

    I really love the things that have been speaking to my heart from your blog lately. Your post yesterday was an expansion on something I had just posted the day before. I am not married or in a romantic relationship, but as a nanny my job is in the middle of a family and I am a bit like a paid stay at home mom to this house so my life is very relationship driven. There are times I am very mentally begrudging as I walk into a dishwasher full of clean dishes that they didn’t empty or a house full of toys that didn’t get picked up when I left it with everything put away. I’ve been working to focus on all the blessings of my job and to try and let those things slide, but I never really thought about the frustration and “ugliness” as spiritual warfare, until now. Reading your post was a light bulb moment.

  • Avent

    Thanks for this! That little mini van that seemed to be the central theme in my spiritual warfare Tuesday started making funny noises this morning right as the dreaded check engine light appeared. Because of this post I was able to put a few things into perspective, laugh at the enemy and inform him that due to his attacked on my family Tuesday…my husband is in rehab and his truck is available! Not sure why I feel the need to make the enemy a “him”….guess that is for another day’s post?

  • http://www.uptoknowgood.com Sara

    My recent aha was that I made myself the enemy. The real Enemy is sneaky, but with my knees on the floor and my head in the Book, I’m onto his wily ways. Thanks for your insights, too, Justin!

  • http://www.bradnd24.wordpress.com Brad Clarke

    Another great post! Keep up the good work in the Lord.
    God is so good! http://bradnd24.wordpress.com/2010/09/08/how-to-rebuke-the-lies-of-the-enemy/